Women’s Basketball Season Concludes with Loss at No. 4 IWU

CL Championships Central

MARION, Ind. – The Taylor women's basketball team fell 114-62 in a Crossroads League Quarterfinals game at No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan (26-3, 16-2 CL) on Tuesday night.

The Wildcats played with their desired up-tempo pace all game long, and the home team's desired results followed in step. Though the Trojans had a relatively strong night shooting the ball at 42.9 percent from the field and 90.9 percent at the charity stripe, 23 turnovers led to 47 IWU points as the second-seeded Wildcats hit shots efficiently at every level.

Ava Henson had her shot falling early on with 10 first-quarter points. Claycee West picked up the scoring role with a trey and a pair of free-throws early in the second period, but Taylor found itself trailing 65-31 at halftime due to Indiana Wesleyan's torrent pace.

Hope Custer and Maycee Woods got the second half started the right way with a steal and an and-one layup, respectively, but IWU controlled the remainder of the quarter and never took its foot off the gas thereafter.

Taylor Westgate made a pair of free throws with seven minutes remaining to bring her into a tie for 12th all-time on TU's career scoring leaders list at 1,416 career points. The senior ended her day with 10 points. 

Henson, who finished with a team-high 20 points, delivered a highlight in the fourth period on a converted four-point play at the top of the key.

Custer found her groove as the contest wore on as she poured in 11 second-half points and closed with 15 on the night to go along with a team-best six assists. West had a strong all-around game with seven points, six rebounds and a block.

TU's main source of offensive success throughout the night came in transition and inside the paint, where the team scored 36 of its points.

Taylor (12-17, 7-11 CL) closed its first season under head coach Cassie Wiseman with a double-digit win total for the 34th consecutive year.